Northeast Performer
Delicate acoustic harmonies and lighthearted romanticism define the sound of Andrea Paquin’s latest release. On Listen, the folk singer glides through an array of intimate, poppy anthems with breezy sensibility. Taking influences from alternative artists Indigo Girls and Kate Bush, Paquin’s simple folk arrangements would be at home with the Lilith Fair generation of musicians.
From the album’s onset, Paquin tugs at the heartstrings of her listeners and the rich, cozy humility of her voice goes down like red wine over good conversation. Opening the album, the soft-spoken ambiance of “I’m Not Going Back” brings about nostalgia of peering out the kitchen window on a blustery evening. On the up-tempo “Letting You Go,” soft murmurs of accordion mingle with gritty banjo into an Appalachian bluegrass swing. Though most of Listen is laced with sweet-tempered warmth, edgier timbres come through in the electric guitar swells of “Leader” and lyrical sarcasm of “Money”: “Let me be the one to shelf / The weight of money that we don’t have / You can keep it all and go to hell.” The dreary protest march of “Freedom” provides haunting counter harmonies on violin and Santana-style guitar licks.
The pop candor of Listen maintains strong personality and soul, making it a worthwhile album for any nu-folk music listener. (Nathalie Levey - NPM)
The Noise
Holy Lilith Fair. I’m thirty seconds into the album’s opening track, “End of Me,” and my head is already flooded with thoughts of Sarah McLaughlin, Amy Mann, and Natalie Merchant among others. Am I stereotyping? Not really. Much of Listen is entrenched in the mold of many a ’90s female adult alternative rocker in the vein of Jewel, Sheryl Crow, and most notably Melissa Ethridge, with whom Paquin shares a noticeably similar vocal delivery.
Sweet and subtle, Listen is undoubtedly a peaceful, lilting and sometimes, as in the case of “Over My Shoulder,” psychedelic trippy piece of lighthearted mood music. Paquin throws a nice curveball in the middle of the record with “Leader,” a souped up rocker in which the singer goes all Juliana Hatfield on us. But for the most part, fans of the folk rock variety should find this a good, uh, well, listen. (Ryan Bray - The Noise)
Origivation Magazine
Although it’s what you choose to see features only 6 tracks, Andrea Paquin’s new EP has the power to captivate listeners. While some might argue that Paquin’s sound is too similar to female alternative artists that pre-date her, the singer-songwriter has composed an album that very much serves as an audible personal journey. Charming lyrics intertwined with soft and, sometimes, melancholy acoustic guitar channel her obvious influences. One of the best parallels has to be Joni Mitchell, and maybe even some Carly Simon. Like her influences, Paquin’s sound is some what weathered, but ultimately offers a serene and wistful listen. (Kate Gamble - Origivation Magazine)